Oregon makes drug use on public transit punishable by 1 year in jail

Individuals who use illicit drugs on public transit in Oregon face up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine. A new law took effect on January 1, which aims to restore public safety to the transit system following years of open-air drug use that sparked an increase in lawlessness and violent crime.

Multnomah County's new District Attorney Nathan Vasquez vowed to prosecute violators at a Monday press briefing.

"Every rider of public transportation has a right to breathe air that is not polluted with fentanyl or other illegal smoke," said DA Vasquez, who historically ousted soft-on-crime prosecutor Mike Schmidt in the most recent election. "Smoking illegal drugs on a bus or train is dangerous and wrong. This new law does not allow deflection, and it's a crime that we will prosecute."

The Oregon state legislature passed Senate Bill 1553 during the session last year, which is explicitly designed to address drug use on transit. After conducting a survey that revealed that approximately half of their riders experienced feelings of fear while riding public transportation, TriMet became a proponent of the measure. Numerous transit drivers and passengers have been subjected to violent assaults by drug-addicted vagrants over the past several years.
 

"The changes passed in the last legislative session made it clear public drug use cannot be tolerated on transit systems," TriMet General Manager Sam Desue said. "We believe public transit merits distinct treatment due to the greater harm onboard drug use causes, as you cannot simply move away from it. This new law is helping make public transit vehicles into 'safe zones,' where not only is drug use illegal, it comes with stiffer penalties."

The bill designates the act of using illicit drugs on public transportation as a Class A misdemeanor, the most severe misdemeanor under Oregon law. This offense is punishable by a fine exceeding $6,000 and a maximum of 364 days in jail. Additionally, it offers a pathway to prospective state-funded treatment. The state recriminalized simple drug possession in September; however, that law permits individuals who are apprehended in possession to be eligible for drug deflection rather than prosecution. This law does not.

Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrisey O'Donnell reiterated at the press briefing that there would be "zero tolerance" for drug use on public transit.